The streets of Seoul were divided as South Koreans waited to hear the fate of their president.
On national television, judges announced that President Yoon Suk Yeol was to be removed from office, setting the course for a new election in South Korea. Outside court, opponents reacted with celebrations, cheering like football fans as they believed Yoon Suk Yeol threatened democracy.
However, there is political divide, and some supporters view the court ruling as an unlawful act against an innocent leader.
South Korea has faced months of turmoil. Yoon Suk Yeol has led the People Power Party since winning the presidential election in 2022. In December the president declared martial law which resulted in public outcry and protests.14,000 police officers were dispatched to the capital ahead of the ruling.
Dr Youngmi Kim, Head of Korean Studies at the University of Edinburgh spoke to ITV News Reporter Fred Dimbleby about the aftermath of the announcement. She said members of some far-right groups in South Korea could be “extremely upset, potentially even violent” and police will be prepared for that.
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